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About the Shriners

The Shriners have a rich history of fellowship and philanthropy. Our organization consists of approximately 300,000 men, belonging to 195 Shrine Temples, or chapters, throughout North America. The Shrine of North America is known for its colorful parades, circuses and clowns. But there is also a serious side to this International Fraternity. For more than 75 years, the Shrine has operated a network of specialized hospitals that treat children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, up to their 18th birthday, regardless of their ability to pay. The Shrine was founded in 1872 by a group of 13 men belonging to the Masonic Order. It was originally established to provide fun and fellowship for its members. But as the organization grew, its members decided to dedicate their efforts to helping others by establishing an official Shrine philanthropy — a network of specialized hospitals that have provided expert medical care to more than 1,000,000 children, regardless of their ability to pay.

Since the first Shriners Hospital opened in 1922, the Shrine has supported what has come to be known as the "World's Greatest Philanthropy." The Shriners now operate 22 hospitals throughout North America. There are 20 hospitals in the United States, 1 in Mexico, and 1 in Canada.